Prayer of Confession, E4B

Call to Confession

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) Let us confess our sin before the Great Shepherd and seek the Shepherd's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, Great Shepherd,
for we have gone astray like lost sheep.
We hoard resources
out of fear 
that there will not be enough
to go around, 
and we might be the ones
who go hungry
instead of trusting 
in your unimaginable abundance,
day by day, 
hour by hour.
We race through life without pausing
to listen for your voice,
so that we do not recognize it
when we hear it
because we fear
that pausing -- even for a moment --
will result in being overtaken,
and we fear losing power,
fame,
and the privilege our society
grants those with both.
We struggle in the darkness
because we fear what we cannot see
instead of walking in faith
toward a future filled with hope.
Create in us a new heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.
Teach us to appreciate
your goodness
and mercy.
Remind us to rest securely
in the leadership of a Shepherd
who loves and cares 
for all the flock
and calls them each
by name.

Assurance of God's Grace

God has promised that when we confess our sin, God, who is faithful and just, removes our sin as far as the east is from the west and remembers it no more. Hear the Good News: in the name of Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this week.